Gilmore accuses Ahern of abandoning responsibility over Shannon Heathrow route

Posted on October 10, 2007 at 02:07 PM

During Leaders' Questions in the Dail today Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD raised the issue of the Aer Lingus decision to scrap the Shannon to Heathrow route.

Deputy Gilmore said: "In less than three months it will not be possible to get a flight from Shannon to Heathrow and there is no point telling people they can get a flight to Orlando if it is Heathrow they want to travel to.

"Last week British Midland indicated that they don't intend to run a service from Shannon to Heathrow. I'd like to hear from the Taoiseach with what carrier is it proposed to have a service from Shannon to Heathrow? As I understand it, it was either British Midland or Aer Lingus.

"And if British Midland is not going to provide the service then it seems to me that the only way that a service to Heathrow could be maintained if Aer Lingus changes its position."

During the exchange the Taoiseach said that it might not be possible to secure a carrier to reopen the route.

Deputy Gilmore replied: "It is quite clear from the Taoiseach's reply that the Shannon Heathrow service is dead and all the talk of finding an alternative has dried up with the British Midland decision.

"You have abandoned your responsibility for the people of this country and the strategic interests of this country in relation to Aer Lingus and you have confirmed that here to us this morning."

Labour has said before that the only way of ensuring the continuation of the Shannon-Heathrow service is by direct Government intervention. You can read our previous statements on Shannon here and see the report on today's Dail proceedings on RTE here and Breaking News here.

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